Competitive Advantage Case Study

Google Mini: Search Appliance for Small and Mid-size Businesses

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Abstract:
Since the introduction of Google's first search appliance in 2002, it has been popular among large enterprises like Xerox and the World Bank Group as it enabled them to enhance their information search capabilities, reduce work duplication and achieve higher revenues. But, all this was provided at a premium price of $32,000. In early 2005, Google introduced 'Google Mini', a smaller version of its earlier search appliance at $4,995, which was targeted at small and mid-size businesses (SMB’s) that according to Google remained largely untapped.

Pedagogical Objectives:

• To highlight Google's competitive challenges
• To discuss the company's foray into the enterprise search business for SMB’s.

Keywords : Google Search Appliance (GSA); Google in a box; Google Mini; Google’s competitors in enterprise search; Google’s Search Appliance clients; Google Mini’s clients; Google Mini’s technical advantages; Google’s revenue model; Google’s brand strategy; Innovation Management Case Study; Competition in search appliance business; Enterprise search market; Small and mid-size businesses